The battle is on. We’re entering the warmer months in the southern hemisphere so I like to change it up a notch. Trading in your coat for a bikini and your boots for sandals was the first step so now we’re going to trade our reds for our whites. Gone are the days of mulled wine, bring on the white wine spritzers! Which brings me to the wine battle of Spring/Summer 2018: White wine.

Fun Fact: White wine makes up 55.4% of the total wine industry in SA with Chenin Blanc being 18% of that

There are many white varietals around the world. Although I do tend to talk a lot, I don’t know if I can cover every white wine the world has to offer. The ones I want to talk about are: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chenin Blanc. See the white wine grape varieties grown in SA

Fun Fact: South African produces just over 50% of the worlds Chenin Blanc!

When it comes to my taste in white wine, I like something that’s on the less fruitier side. I know, I know that it makes me more boring, but if just so you know, I like my red wine just the same. Just so you know, I am not saying that these are the best because I do like to shake things up add in a little sweetness like a moscato or Gewutnkvisrnosdgsfbzfsf (you know what I’m talking about, the Gewurztraminer, hehehe)

• Chardonnay – A native of Burgundy, this variety is widely planted throughout the New World. Locally, much experimentation has been taking place with barrel fermentation and oak ageing of Chardonnay, and excellent wines in a number of styles are being produced. It is also used in some of the base wines from which Cap Classique sparkling wines are made as well as in white blends, an increasingly successful category.

• Sauvignon Blanc – Sauvignon is most readily associated with the eastern Loire region, which is known for its classic crisp, dry Sancerre and smoky Pouilly-Fumé. In combination with Sémillon, Sauvignon grapes also produce some of the most exceptional white wines of Bordeaux, including the sweetest Sauternes (sometimes with Muscadelle too) and the driest Graves, which are often aged in wood (sometimes labelled Blanc Fumé). Extensively planted in the 18th century, Sauvignon Blanc has now regained popularity and considerably increased its share of plantings. There are some leading local examples which have garnered international attention.
• Chenin Blanc (Steen) – The most widely cultivated variety in the Cape, growers are raising the standard to new levels. Characterised by its versatility, Chenin Blanc produces good natural wines covering the whole spectrum from sweet to dry, as well as sherry and sparkling wine. Its fruitiness finds favour with a wide range of palates. It is also used for distilling brandy and spirits.

From doing a lot of research, I see that the world loves Sauvignon Blanc and another percentage drink Chardonnay religiously. Am I the only one who runs to a good chilled chenin blanc when craving a white wine?

Please let me know your thoughts on which is the best white wine and what you’ll be sipping on this summer of 2018.